Device, system and method for providing incentives including technology use and technology-based work

ABSTRACT

A system and method serve to a user a login menu that is executed on a computing device, wherein the login menu is programmed to acquire from a user a set of parameters for access to a facility computing environment. In response to receiving credentials corresponding to the user, displaying, using the computing device, at least one graphical user interface that allows the user to participate in at least one activity corresponding to the facility, wherein the at least one activity is based in part on the credentials and one or more tasks available at the facility, and wherein the one or more tasks are verified for the user. The system and method generate, using the computing device, one or more points in real-time or near real-time for the user, during execution of the at least one activity at the computing device, wherein the at least one point is based on at least one achievement corresponding to the activity. The system and method generate, using the computing device, at least one reward based on the one or more points, and stores an indication of the achievement in a database communicatively connected to the at least one computing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/150,642, filed on Apr. 21, 2015, the entire contentsof which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to distributed systems andplatforms, and to the generation of digital incentives for users basedon user engagement and participation.

BACKGROUND

The lack of access to educational programming in correctional facilitiesrepresents a serious problem in the United States, and is oftenconsidered to be one of the primary drivers behind the near 50% averagerecidivism rate. Furthermore, the lack of access to education-basedactivities leads to high incidence of violence among incarceratedindividuals and between those individuals and correctional officers.Despite consistent evidence illustrating that educational programmingreduces recidivism and reduces in-facility violence, correctionalfacilities face resource constraints when attempting to enable andincentivize large populations of inmates to engage in educationalprogramming. Further, educational programming is typically only offeredin distinct areas of a correctional facility and not in the cells,dorms, common areas, or day rooms where residents spend the majority oftheir time. The vast majority of training is done in-person and does notallow for people to work at their own pace. Additionally, the times andclass size of programming and the number of in-person jobs issignificantly limited and focused on pedagogy and training withlong-term incentives.

It is with these concepts in mind, among others, that various aspects ofthe present disclosure were conceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure set forth herein will be apparent from the followingdescription of particular embodiments of those inventive concepts, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Also, in the drawings the likereference characters refer to the same parts throughout the differentviews. The drawings depict only typical embodiments of the presentdisclosure and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting in scope.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for generating acontent management platform for a correctional facility environment,according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is block diagram illustrating a computing environment forenabling a content management platform for a correctional facilityenvironment, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is another block diagram illustrating a computing environment forenabling a content management platform for a correctional facilityenvironment, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example screen shot, according to aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a computing system, according to aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example integration platform.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example distribution network of tasks tousers, a third party digital work platform and an external labor pool.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the example distribution network forhandling the completion of tasks, compensation and reporting.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example dock for providing access totechnical functionality in a correctional or other controlled setting.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example dock.

FIG. 11 is a top view of another example dock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a web-based, content deliveryand learning management platform (referred to herein as the “contentmanagement platform”), which includes education-based digital content(movies, music, text, books, surveys, games, videos, audio, pod casts,etc) accessible within the platform, and accompanying onlineadministrative tools and APIs. In various aspects, the contentmanagement platform may be accessed by users to engage in a plurality ofdifferent incentivized educational based tasks, activities, games,and/or the like, whereby the management system is able to track andmonitor a particular user's activities and engagements and automaticallyaward points, badges, etc., for achievement of one or more goals withinthe various activities, games, and/or tasks.

In one particular embodiment, the content management platform may bedelivered through one or more connected devices that enable a TCP/IPnetwork connection, e.g., a personal computer, tablet computers, mobilephone, etc. For example and in one embodiment, the content managementplatform may be accessed by a correctional facility computingenvironment through a secure connection, e.g., through a securedpacket-switched connection, which securely connects the facilities localnetwork consisting of for example: routing devices; switching devices;servers, wireless access points; and end user devices; and/or the like.

In other aspects, one or more interactive interfaces, graphical-userinterfaces, dashboards and/or portals may be generated by the contentmanagement platform that enable access to various educational digitalcontent from a remote location, distributed network location, and/or thelike.

According to one embodiment, the content management platform may beimplemented within, or among, one or more computing components/devicesincluded within a computing environment maintained within a correctionalfacility or environment, e.g., a jail, prison, juvenile detentioncenter, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities, adulttransitional housing, addiction treatment centers, residential locationsincluding persons on parole or supervised release, etc. Users, e.g.,inmates, juveniles, detainees, or other individuals under any type ofsupervision in a correctional environment may interact with the contentmanagement platform to engage in the plurality of different educationalbased tasks, activities, games, and/or the like. While the aboveexamples and examples throughout the invention are described within thecontext of a correctional facility environment, it is contemplated thatthe technologies described herein may be implemented elsewhere andoutside of such environments for ongoing learning and that which theusers may keep their account post release.

An illustrative process and system for providing a content managementplatform for access by one or more users associated with a correctionalenvironment, is depicted in FIGS. 1-2. In particular, FIG. 1 illustratesan example process 100 for generating various interfaces (e.g.,graphical user-interfaces) that serve and display education-baseddigital content to users of a correctional facility environment. FIG. 2illustrates a computing environment 200 associated with a correctionalfacility environment that includes a content management platform 202configured to serve and/or otherwise provide the one or more interfacesthat enable users to engage in various education-based tasks (e.g.,games, activities, tasks, reward generation). More specifically, FIG. 2illustrates a computing environment 200 including the content managementplatform 202 operating in conjunction with various other hardware and/orsoftware components may be used to perform or otherwise execute theprocess 100.

Referring now to FIG. 1, process 100 begins with serving to a user, asecured credentialing graphical-user interface that is programmed toreceive user user-account information from a particular user for accessto a content management platform associated with the correctionalfacility environment (operation 102). Additionally or alternatively, theusers can also access relevant data to their stay through the interface,including but not limited to release date, court dates, medicalinformation, etc. In FIG. 2 and in one embodiment, a user interested inengaging in various activities, tasks, games, and/or the like at thecorrectional facility may interact with one or more client device(s) 206to initiate a request, which may be received by the content managementplatform 202. More particularly, the one or more client device(s) 206may also include a user interface (“UI”) application 212, e.g., abrowser application, to generate the request(s). The one or more clientdevice(s) 206 may be a personal computer, work station, mobile device,mobile phone, tablet device, processor, and/or other processing devicecapable of implementing and/or executing processes, software,applications, etc. Additionally, the one or more client device(s) 206may include one or more processors that process software or othermachine-readable instructions and may include a memory to store thesoftware or other machine-readable instructions and data. The one ormore client device(s) 206 may also include a communication system tocommunicate with the various components of the content managementplatform 202 via a wireline and/or wireless communications, e.g.,through a network 218, e.g., the Internet, an intranet, an Ethernetnetwork, a wireline network, a wireless network, a mobile communicationsnetwork, and/or another communication network. The various interactiveinterfaces generated in response to a monitoring request may bedisplayed at the one or more client device(s) 206.

FIG. 3 provides an illustration of an alternative arrangement ofcomputing devices that may be included within the correctional facilityenvironment 300, according to one embodiment. The illustratedenvironment includes one or more docking stations 302-312, eachcontaining or otherwise associated with a client device (e.g., a clientdevice 206) and each of which communicate with the content managementplatform. In one embodiment, the client device of FIG. 3 may be atouchscreen tablet device, handheld device, phone, or limited capacitykeyboard device e.g., a notebook. The one or more docking stations302-312 may be a dock, docking station, kiosk, desk docking station, orthe like, and any of which may include a nook, shelf, counter, sill,booth, or cubical.

The content management platform 202 may limit the use of certain devicefunctionality to a specified physical area 301. In another embodiment,the content management platform 202 may: 1) securely limit the range anduse of client device cameras, network connections, and other devicefeatures to designated areas within a correctional facility environment;2) expand the functionality and use of the client device by creating adesktop environment with keyboard, stand, and universal serial bus(USB), Bluetooth, Near Field Communication or other connectivityprotocols; and 3) enable the activities of users to be controlled,limited, and monitored.

In one particular embodiment, the one or more docking stations 302-312may be arranged and installed as mini desks that are capable of beingmounted to correctional facility environment walls and which enable theclient device to rest flat or angled on each respective desk surface.One embodiment may employ a surface cover to limit movement of theclient device(s). A mini desk may include: 1) a built in connection to awired interface, e.g., a USB hub, mini USB, micro USB, or USB enabledaccessories like an external QWERTY keyboard, medical devices, cameras,a pointing device, etc.; and 2) a wireless device allowing short range(e.g., five feet or less, ten feet or less, forty feet or less)communication with a computing device through Bluetooth, Near FieldCommunication or other connectivity protocols.

Once a client device is connected to a mini desk via proper cabling(USB, mini USB, or other), or within the requisite range of the minidesk (in close enough proximity to digitally discover the mini deskthrough proper signaling means (bluetooth, RFID, NFC, 802.11p, etc.),the client device can securely recognize the device as in a designatedlocation, and the client device, executing in conjunction with thecontent management platform, can unlock certain built-in features, thatare otherwise disabled. Such features may include camera features andfunctionality or augmented learning and entertainment packages. Withthese features activated, the dock may be used for secure activitiese.g., video conferencing, vocational training, online education,distributed labor (modular digital work tasks accomplished by a pool ofworkers), and telemedicine. For security reasons, an environment wheresuch activities are accomplished in certain, e.g., monitored, areas of acorrectional facility environment.

When a client device is separated from the mini desks designated cablingor moves beyond the requisite signal range of the dock, the device,through MDM software, can again disable the undesirable features likethe camera while leaving intact the remaining feature set. Below furtherexplains various configurations and features of a client device, dock,desk (e.g., a mini desk), which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

Referring again to operation 102 of FIG. 1, in response to any requestsreceived from the one or more client devices 206, the content managementplatform 202 may transmit instructions that may be processed and/orexecuted to generate, or otherwise display, the credentialing interface.The server may be a personal computer, work station, server, mobiledevice, mobile phone, processor, and/or other type of processing deviceand may include one or more processors that process software or othermachine-readable instructions. The content management platform 202 mayfurther include a memory to store the software or other machine-readableinstructions and data and a communication system to communicate via awireline and/or wireless communications, e.g., through the Internet, anintranet, and Ethernet network, a wireline network, a wireless network,and/or another communication network. The content management platform202 may include or be connected with a database 220, which may be ageneral repository of data including data, central bank communicationsdata and/or any other data relating to central banks, banks, andgenerating analytics related to central banks. The database 220 mayinclude memory and one or more processors or processing systems toreceive, process, query and transmit communications and store andretrieve such data. In another aspect, the database 220 may be adatabase server.

Once the credentialing graphical-user interface(s) have been served andaccess has been authenticated to the requested user based onuser-account information, additional interactive interfaces/input forms(e.g. a user-interface or graphical user-interface (GUI)) may begenerated that allows the authenticated user to participate in variousactivities corresponding to the correctional facility that result in theuser earning one or more reward points (operation 104). In particular,the content management platform 202 of FIG. 2 may provide a mechanism,process, and/or application, e.g., the activities application 208,which, when executed, generates the interactive interfaces. Theinterfaces may include interactive elements, e.g., buttons, forms,activity logs, fields, streaming capabilities for streaming games,tasks, and/or activities, selections, inputs, images, etc., charts, fordisplaying various rewards, and/or activities.

FIG. 4 depict example wire frame, screen shot, and/or blueprint 400 thatprovide an illustrative guide for the various interface(s) that may begenerated by the content management platform 202 that may be used toallow user to engage in various activities, tasks, and/or games at acorrectional facility and gain points. Each wire frame illustrates thevarious kinds of data (e.g., reward analytics) capable of beingdisplayed, the various functionalities capable of being implemented toenable users to engage in activities and/or tasks, and the variouseffects of different displays on such data.

In one embodiment, to determine what the activities and/or tasks may beincluded within the graphical user-interfaces and provided to the fordisplay, the activities application may automatically source one or moreactivities or tasks from a digital labor platform 203 (e.g.,CloudFactory, CrowdSource, elance.com, odesk.com), networks, or directlyfrom companies or contractors that are outsourcing the completion oftasks. The activities application 208 ensures that the tasks areappropriate for the correctional environment, and if so, deliversappropriate tasks to appropriate user accounts. In one embodiment, tasksare deemed appropriate based on 1) matching the competency level of thetask with that of the user; and 2) the applicable regulations regardingthe sharing and use of specific information. Below further explains howtasks and/or activities may be identified for users, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring again to FIG. 1, based upon input received at the generatedinterfaces, the activities application 208 may automatically measure andquantify the educational effort, achievement, and completion (e.g., of acourse, lesson, goal, survey, or more) and automatically calculate awardpoints (e.g., digital points, coins, rewards, or other forms of digitalcurrency) for inclusion into the user's personal account (operation106). More specifically, a user may earn points based on educationaleffort, achievement, and completion of a course, lesson, goal, surveysdisplayed within the interactive interfaces. Factors e.g., time spent inthe course, speed of completion, completion, accuracy or length ofanswers to quiz questions, consistency of use, advancement in a subjectarea, accomplishment of goals, and other factors may all be collected bythe correction application, and subsequently processed to calculate thenumber of points that should be awarded to a user. Additionally, bonuspoints may be awarded for specific activities that don't fit withincategorized calculations as it relates to existing content. The contentmanagement platform may allow for new content, quizzes, surveys, goal,badges, etc., to be introduced continuously on the platform and pointscalculations may be distinct from existing calculations for similarmaterial.

In some embodiments, the interfaces may provide users with informationthat reveals the number of points he/she has currently earned withinhis/her account (e.g., tracking points). In yet another embodiment,users may have the option to either exchange any existing points forrewards or engage in activities that can either earn them additionalpoints or allow them to engage with content that neither requires pointsnor earns additional points. Various additional flow charts and pathsfor which users may take when logged into the system is described below.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a report, summary, or other standardizedformat of reward information may be generated based on a particularuser's interactions with the one or more interfaces (operation 108).More particularly, the content management platform 202 may process anyreward data corresponding to a particular user and subsequently inputthe reward data into a standardized report structure including some formof master data document populated with corresponding user-account data,game, task, and activity completion statistical data, etc. Exampleembodiments include an e-mail, Internet-accessible formats e.g., amarkup document, pdf, and the like. Any of such documents and/or reportsmay be transmitted from the content management platform 202 to one ormore of the client device(s) 206 for access by users.

In one particular embodiment, automatic reporting of user'saccomplishments may be automatically integrated with existingcorrectional environment management software (software designed for theadministrative purpose of tracking and managing the population of thecorrectional environment) through the use of an application programinterface (API) or other automated reporting and used at the facility'sdiscretion to award non digital, sentence-reducing or other rewards forusers. Rewards achieved by the user may also be viewable by supportingfamily members, friends, or other individuals inside and outside thecorrectional environment as deemed appropriate by the correctionalenvironment's administration.

FIG. 5 is example schematic diagram of a computing system implementingan analytics system 202 that may be used to generate central bankcommunication data analytics, according to one embodiment. As shown inFIG. 5, computer system/server 502 in computing node 500 is shown in theform of a computing device. The components of computer system/server 502may include one or more processors or processing units 504, a systemmemory 506, and a bus 508 that couples various system componentsincluding system memory 506 to processor 504, cameras, HUD(s), sensors,and/or the like.

Bus 508 represents one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. Such architectures may includeIndustry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture(MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics StandardsAssociation (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects(PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 502 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 502, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 506 may include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, e.g., random access memory (RAM) 510 and/or cachememory 512. Computer system/server 502 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 513 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, anoptical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable,non-volatile optical disk e.g., a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical mediamay be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus 508 byone or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted anddescribed below, memory 506 may include at least one program producthaving a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configuredto carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 514, having a set (at least one) of program modules 516,may be stored in memory 506, as well as an operating system, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, and program data. Each ofthe operating system, one or more application programs, other programmodules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include animplementation of a networking environment. Program modules 516generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments ofthe invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 502 may also communicate with one or moreexternal devices 518 e.g., a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 520,etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 502; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 502 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 522. Still yet, computer system/server 502 cancommunicate with one or more networks e.g., a local area network (LAN),a wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet)via network adapter 524. As depicted, network adapter 524 communicateswith the other components of computer system/server 502 via bus 508. Itshould be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/orsoftware components can be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 502. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

The embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can beimplemented as logical steps in one or more computer systems. Thelogical operations of the present disclosure are implemented (1) as asequence of processor-implemented steps executing in one or morecomputer systems and (2) as interconnected machine or circuit engineswithin one or more computer systems. The implementation is a matter ofchoice, dependent on the performance requirements of the computer systemimplementing aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the logicaloperations making up the embodiments of the disclosure described hereinare referred to variously as operations, steps, objects, or engines.Furthermore, it should be understood that logical operations may beperformed in any order, unless explicitly claimed otherwise or aspecific order is inherently necessitated by the claim language.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example integration platform 600. In oneexample, the integration platform 600 provides for a learningenvironment 602, a facility environment 604 and an inmate managementsystem 606 to operate together and independently. The environments areused for explanation purposes. In other implementations, the integrationplatform 600 can integrate more or less types of environments.Productive behavior on the content management platform 202 (608), e.g.,effort, achievements and/or completion of material, can earn rewards onthe content management platform 202 (610), e.g., movie viewings.Additionally or alternatively, productive behavior on the contentmanagement platform 202 (608) can earn rewards in the facilityenvironment 604 (612), e.g., time off the prisoner's sentence ordecreased classification level. The inmate management system 606 of theintegration platform 600 can also link productive behavior in the analogfacility environment (614), e.g., in person class completion) withrewards on the content management platform 202 (610), e.g., movieviewing, more phone time, etc. Non-productive behavior can also beconsidered.

The integration platform 600 can expand the reach of educationalprogramming available to users, create meaningful, automatically anddigitally delivered incentives to engage as many users as possible inproductive activity, and make reporting outcomes and awarding additionalnon-digitally delivered incentives as easy as possible. In this example,the user can include inmates, juveniles, detainees, or other individualsunder any type of supervision in a “correctional environment” (includingbut not limited to jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers,Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities, adulttransitional housing, addiction treatment centers, persons on parole orsupervised release, etc. The content management platform 202 includes anetwork-based learning management system, digital content accessiblewithin the system, and accompanying administrative tools and APIs thatcan be delivered through any connected device that enables a networkconnection, for example, a personal computer, tablet computers, mobilephone, etc., The content management platform 202 can electronicallymeasure educational effort, achievement, and completion (of a course,lesson, goal, survey, badge, or more) and automatically calculate andaward “points” (which includes digital points, coins, rewards, or otherforms of digital currency) onto the individuals personal digitallearning account (a single user's unique online access or accountcreated with a unique username and password). Course, lesson, goal, orbadge completion can also result in earning a certificate or beingawarded a badge, both of which are digital files designed to be savedelectronically or printed on paper.

The user's accomplishments are automatically reported to thecorrectional authority through a web based administration digitaldashboard (for example, in FIG. 5). Automatic reporting of user'saccomplishments integrate with existing correctional environmentmanagement software (software designed for the administrative purpose oftracking and managing the population of the correctional environment)through the use of an application program interface (API) or otherautomated reporting and used at the facility's discretion to award nondigital, sentence-reducing or other rewards for users. Rewards achievedby the user may also be viewable by supporting family members, friends,or other individuals inside and outside the correctional environment asdeemed appropriate by the correctional environment's administration.

The points earned by users can be redeemed by the users within thecontent management platform 202 for multiple types of rewards (includingbut not limited to music, movies, games, magazines, podcasts, books,pictures, phone minutes, email credits, video visitation minutes,commissary items, short-form internet entertainment content). The pointsmay be redeemed for content management platform rewards as units ortokens (e.g. a single movie, or two songs) or for scalable credits whererewards are provide access to scalable rewards (e.g., 15 minutes to playone game or any series of games, or 20 minutes to make phone calls). Forthe incentive based learning to be functional at least some of therewards on the content management platform 202 are only be available inexchange for points. In one example, for the incentive-based learning tobe functional at least some of the rewards on the content managementplatform 202 are only be available in exchange for points.

The rewards can be integrated into an institution's existing library,educational, seminary, independent study, and other programs. Forexample, content management platform rewards may provide access tolibrary content e.g., magazines, books, videos, or other types ofcontent. Content management platform rewards may also be integrated intoan institution's commissary system to allow a user to select clothing,stationery, or comfort items e.g., food or tobacco products. Therefore,the integration platform 600 can expand a reach of educationalprogramming available to users, create meaningful, automatically anddigitally delivered incentives to engage as many users as possible inproductive activity, and make reporting outcomes and awarding additionalnon-digitally delivered incentives as easy as possible. Furthermore, theintegration platform 600 allows discrete and measured rewards forbeneficial behavior to be provided cost-effectively, for example,without action by an administrator.

A lack of access to and engagement with educational programming incorrectional facilities is a large problem in the United States, and oneof the primary drivers behind the near 50% average recidivism rate.Furthermore, a lack of productive activity can lead to high incidence ofviolence among incarcerated individuals and between those individualsand correctional officers. Despite evidence that educational programmingcan reduce recidivism and reduces in-facility violence, facilities faceresource constraints in providing, and difficulties in incentivizing,large populations of inmates to engage in educational programming.Further, programming is generally offered in distinct areas of acorrectional facility not in the cells, dorms, common areas, or dayrooms where residents spend the majority of their time. A majority oftraining is done in-person and does not allow for people to work attheir own pace. Additionally, the times and class size of programmingand the number of in-person jobs is significantly limited and focused onpedagogy and training with long-term incentives.

Correctional facilities are increasingly required to implementrehabilitative programming by outside pressure, or local, state, orfederal regulation. The integration platform 600 addresses and resolvesome of these issues. By having content digitally delivered on anindividual basis with little to no instructor interaction needed, thebuilt in incentive structure further serves to draw in learners that canotherwise be uninterested in participating in the statisticallybeneficial educational, vocational, and treatment programming.

The integration platform 600 can provide web-based content delivery andlearning management system, which includes digital content (movies,music, text, books, surveys, games, videos, audio, pod casts, etc.)accessible within the system, and accompanying online administrativetools and APIs. The content management platform 202 can be housed insecure data centers or through hosted cloud service providers, oron-site at a facility. It can be delivered through any connected devicethat enables a TCP/IP network connection, e.g., a personal computer,tablet computers, mobile phone, etc. In one example, the contentmanagement platform 202 is primarily accessed by a correctionalenvironment through a secure connection. For example, this can be asecured packet-switched connection, which securely connects thefacilities local network consisting of a routing device, a switchingdevice, a server, all wireless access points and end user devicesdirectly to a data center or cloud hosted virtual private cloud via anencrypted or physically segregated point-to-point mechanism.

In one example, the content management platform 202 is provided by fixedinfrastructure at a facility. For example, for ease of use, cost, andsecurity, the content management platform 202 can be delivered to usersthrough the use of tablet computers or wall-mounted computers/kiosks ofvarying sizes. If users wish to engage with the learning environment 602and its content to earn rewards they may create a personalized useraccount. To create an individual account, a user may be required to fillin personal information including name and birthday. They may be alsorequired to select the correctional environment where they are housed aswell as their inmate ID or other unique identifying ID as used by theirparticular correctional environment or in line with the inmatemanagement system used by the correctional environment. They are alsoasked to create a password and to select security questions to helpverify identity and resolve any instances where a password is forgotten.

Additionally or alternatively, the content management platform 202 canbe delivered by a web or other network to a user's residence or otherlocation. In this embodiment, the user access the platform by web-basedsoftware, or software on the user's personal device, or on a deviceprovided to the user by a correctional institution. The user's devicecommunicates with a central server to track and indicate the user'spoints, and to permit rewards to be accessed or indicated.

Once a user's account is created, he/she can have access to his/heraccount where he/she can access a portion of the content managementplatform 202 that reveals the number of points he/she has on his/heraccount. This can always be accessed when users are logged in to trackpoints. When users are logged into their personal account, they thenhave the option to either exchange any existing points for rewards orengage in activities that either earn them additional points or allowthem to engage with content that neither requires points nor earnsadditional points.

In FIG. 6, the integration platform 600 reveals the different path usersmay take once on logged into their personal account on the contentmanagement platform 202. Not all activities earn or cost points on theplatform. However, in general activities that are more academically orsocially beneficial are those that either earn or do not need to beexchanged for points. Opposite of this, comfort provisions,entertainment based content, and other desirables are deemed rewards.These are primarily, but not necessarily exclusively deemed as rewardsand may require an exchange for points. When users have exchanged all oftheir points for rewards, there is generally provided substantialresidual rewards that are not available to users until they earn morepoints. This is designed to create incentives for users to engage incontent that is more academically and socially beneficial or has beenstatistically proven to reduce recidivism, decrease anti-socialbehavior, improve societal relations, and other socially beneficialoutcomes.

Earning points can be accomplished by users in multiple ways. Primarilypoints can be rewarded based on educational effort, achievement, andcompletion of a course, lesson, goal, survey, badge, or otheradvancement tools. Factors e.g., time spent in the course, speed ofcompletion, completion, accuracy or length of answers to quiz questions,consistency of use, advancement in a subject area, accomplishment ofgoals, and other factors may all be included in the calculation forawarding users with points. Additionally, bonus points may be awardedfor specific activities that don't fit within categorized calculationsas it relates to existing content. The content management platform 202allows for new content, quizzes, surveys, goal, badges, etc., to beintroduced continuously on the platform and points calculations may bedistinct from existing calculations for similar material. Additionally,the calculation and methodology behind awarding points may be changedover time to adapt to needs of the users, correctional personnel, oradministrators.

Points also have the potential to be adaptive to different users. As anexample, if users have different risk profiles for substance abuse asdetermined by a risk assessment, users with a higher risk profile mayreceive more points for taking a course or engaging with material thatis proven to decrease risk for substance abusers, where lower substanceabuse risk users may receive fewer points on the same course ormaterial. This dynamic incentive structure can better enable the desiredoutcome of engagement with the content management platform 202.

Points can be exchanged for various types of rewards. Points are used ina marketplace setup where exchanges/purchases can be made for rewards asindividual units, e.g., a movie, a song, a book, an email, etc. Thepoints may be redeemed for scalable or time specific rewards e.g., a 15minute phone call, 30 minutes of streaming music, or 12 minutes playinga selected game. In a sense, these rewards are unlocked or available fora certain period of time, after which they are locked again and cannotbe utilized again until further points are earned. This is trackedthrough the content management platform 202 that uses a series ofmethodologies to cap usage based on time or substantiality of usemetrics.

The integration platform 600 also provides central tracking of thedistribution of points and rewards. The content management platform 202can include an administrative dashboard (e.g., FIG. 5) that allows for acorrectional institution to see the progress of individual users as wellas aggregate reports. This can be hosted on a central server, andadministrators of the correctional institution to determine who is givenprivileges to access this dashboard and data. This data allows aninstitution to track expenditures or provide rewards or punishmentssystem wide or to groups.

An API (application program interface) can also allow progress,accomplishments, certificates, badges, and other types of usersengagement with the content management platform 202 to be automaticallyuploaded into a correctional environment's inmate management systems orother systems used to track resident populations at the correctionalenvironment. This can further minimize the need for the engagement ofcorrectional environment staff in tracking and monitoring or assigningnon-digitally delivered rewards to inmates. Where API integration withfacility inmate management system is not feasible, the contentmanagement platform 202 can make automated reporting (e.g., PDF or Excelreports) or structured data transfer (e.g., .csv or other structureddata files) available to facilities to ensure efficient integration intoexisting operational and technical workflows. This can also allowreporting on non-digital accomplishments of inmates to be reported backto the content management platform 202 so users can receive points thatcan be used towards rewards for accomplishments, achievements,certificates, awards, good behavior recognition, etc., that occurredoutside the content management platform 202. This can include past andfuture activities as entered into the correctional environment's inmatemanagement system. Thus, a user's accomplishments on the contentmanagement platform 202 are pushed to the correctional environment'sinmate management system, and the correctional environment's inmatemanagement system pushes a users' tracked accomplishments to the contentmanagement platform 202 that are achieved through other mediums.

The integration platform 600 may be configured for use outsidecorrectional institutions, or for use by users who leave an institutionproviding the platform. For example, once users are no longer residentsat a correctional institution, it is possible for the content managementplatform 202 to convert the users account and profile so that users cancontinue to use elements of the content management platform 202. Thiscan come in the form of switching to another correctional environment orno longer being housed in and correctional environment. Both anautomated online process as well as and over the phone process can beprovided to verify that users have officially changed their residentialstatus. Verification is accomplished as each users' account is onlyallowed to be in use at one instance and in the correctional environmentor other facility designated for that user.

Components of the content management platform 202 can include one ormore of an algorithm and system for calculating effort, achievement, andcompletion on that section. An entertainment section, including music,movies, games, etc. An educational section, including academic,vocational, and life skills content. An algorithm for drawing downpoints while users consume entertainment content. Tablet technology togather a large amount of data related to goal setting, achievement andinteraction. Assessment across multiple areas of content and evaluation:risk, education level, literacy level, job experience, job readiness,career interest, health, family relationship, and other areas.Assessment dynamically recommends a course of study and set of goals foruser. Users progress through content pathway based on goal set. Anadaptive content management platform 202 dynamically adds in extrapractice, content, etc. based on performance. Goal-based platformincludes intermittent real-world scenarios/challenges/surveys. Platform“spaces” or “scaffolds” out topic review of previously covered topic toincrease retention.

Music rewards can include radio stations, streaming internet radio(e.g., Pandora), on-demand internet music service (e.g., Spotify), oriTunes style music store. Video rewards can include a set of movies andvideos available for streaming, a Netflix-style subscription service, oran iTunes store-style rental or purchase. Games can include a set ofgames available for free, premium games, or games with in-app purchases.Magazines can include individual issues available for purchase,subscriptions to specific magazines, or a subscription (e.g., Nextlssue)to multiple magazines. A JavaFX-based “side-loader” that canconnect/limit time spent in various applications.

Existing technology (e.g., paper workbooks, textbooks, conventionalsoftware in computer labs) does not offer personalized incentives forlearning to each inmate based on their own engagement with educationalmaterials. Paper-based offerings do not have the ability to track orreact to individual engagements. Conventional software or tabletsolutions either 1) involve a firewall that limits access to allentertainment content and therefore cannot provide any incentive; 2)works in an environment of allowed applications on an operating systemand cannot control users' access to various portions of the operatingsystem; or 3) does not integrate entertainment rewards with educationalengagement into a single application that tracks all activity. Bothpaper-based and digital solutions occasionally may integrate rewardslike time off of sentence, but these rewards come only at the end ofmonths of effort and are not on a real-time, everyday basis. No providerhas linked education and entertainment. The attempts to solve theproblem of how to reward engagement with education can typically focuson offering badges or certificates to signify achievement. Solutionsthat provide badges and certificates do not reward a learner on anongoing, daily basis; they can only reward achievement at the end of alesson or course of study. Unlike the learning environment 602, previoussolutions may not measure both effort and achievement. They typicallyonly measure achievement.

The content management system 202 can issue monetary rewards that theusers can use for both digital and analog rewards in the learningenvironment 602 and the facility environment 604. The content managementsystem 202 can also provide monetary awards for the education basedtasks, e.g., described above, and/or distributed labor tasks, e.g.,described in FIGS. 7 and 8, that can be used for both digital and analogrewards.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example distribution network 700 oftasks to users A-N 702, a third party digital work platform 704 and anexternal labor pool 706. The content management platform 202 screenstasks for appropriateness (718), e.g., to be handled by the users A-N702 located in a correctional setting, and screens users A-N 702 forinterest in the work. The work can be provided by a client 708 of thedigital work. The client 708 connects with the third party digital workplatform 704 to provide the tasks needing to be handled. The third partydigital work platform 704 communicates the tasks to the contentmanagement platform 202 for a determination of appropriateness and anavailable user A-N 702. The content management platform 202 can routetasks which are not appropriate or which do not have an available userA-N 702 to the third party labor pool 706. Otherwise, the contentmanagement platform 202 routes tasks for handling by the user A-N 702.

There is a link between the attainment of education and workforce skillswith lower rates of crime and reduced recidivism. However, incarceratedindividuals may have very limited access to meaningful education,vocational training and skill-building opportunities, and, there are fewobvious and immediate incentives to pursue activities which can deliverthose skills, and very limited assessment along the way to help theindividual improve and build on what they have learned. Additionally,correctional facilities are increasingly required to implementrehabilitative programming, placing pressure on constrained programmingbudgets.

In the correctional environment a majority of training is done in-personand does not allow for people to work at their own pace. Additionally,in a correctional environment the times and class size of vocational,job skill, or other educational programming, and the number of in-personjobs, is significantly limited. In many instances these trainingsessions can be focused on pedagogy and training with long-termincentives but minimal short term benefits. Furthermore, the majority ofjobs typically require computer skills or knowledge in one form oranother. Present-day vocational opportunities in a correctional settingdo not afford most incarcerated learners the opportunity to developcomputer skills. Finally, inmates have traditionally been able toparticipate in many large industries, e.g., manufacturing, call centers,screen printing, housekeeping, food service, etc., but technology andcomputing enabled work in a secure environment is extremely limited.

The content management platform 202 is designed for use with thecorrectional environment, including but not limited to jails, prisons,juvenile detention centers, Immigration and Customs Enforcementdetention facilities, adult transitional housing, addiction treatmentcenters, persons on parole or supervised release, etc. The contentmanagement platform 202 allows a secure setting for workers, e.g.,inmates, juveniles, detainees, or other individuals under any type ofsupervision in a “correctional environment,” to be presented withdigital computing device training and work opportunities on a computingdevice and earn credits, e.g., wages, credits, points, tokens, or otherform of compensation monetary or otherwise, based on completion oftasks.

The content management platform 202 sources tasks from digital laborplatforms, e.g., CloudFactory, CrowdSource, elance.com, odesk.com,networks, or directly from companies or contractors that are outsourcingthe completion of tasks. The content management platform 202 ensures thetasks are appropriate for the correctional environment, and deliversappropriate tasks to workers in a correctional environment.Inappropriate tasks may be re-routed to other laborers outside acorrectional environment, e.g. the third party labor pool 706. Thecontent management platform 202 allows workers to complete tasks througha secure network without direct interaction with the World Wide Web orother open networks not directly controlled in the correctionalenvironment. The tasks provide incentives, rewards, and/or learningopportunities to the users. The content management platform 202 gathersthe completed tasks and data on the worker and automatically deliversinformation to the correctional environment's inmate management network710 about hours worked, tasks completed or started, credits earned, andother data relevant to the worker and the task. Furthermore, the creditsearned can be integrated into the inmate management 710 network andexchanged for goods or services.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the example distribution network forhandling the completion of tasks, compensation and reporting. Thecontent management platform 202 reports to the facility inmatemanagement system 710 and/or the API integration documents the timespent by the users A-N 702, performance, etc. The facility managementsystem 710 can provide goods and/or services 802 to the users A-N 702 inexchange for money and/or credits 804 earned by the user A-N 702, e.g.,for completing tasks. The users A-N 702 can use a tablet to work on orcomplete a task and after doing some portion or all of that task. Theusers A-N 702 receive credits that automatically transfer and areviewable on both the content management platform 202 and the inmatemanagement network 710. That users A-N 702 can exchange or spend thosecredits to gain access to aspects of the content management platform202, or other services delivered through the computing device. They canalso exchange or spend those credits for other goods or services offeredto workers in the correctional environment otherwise purchased throughother means.

The content management platform 202 tracks and generates reporting forusers A-N 702 and the correctional environment allowing users A-N 702 totrack skills they have started to learn or mastered, and their progresson certain skills. Skill achievements may also be displayed in a resumeor CV fashion to benefit workers, after they leave the correctionalenvironment, in obtaining employment or proving skill achievement andprogress. Though the content management platform 202 can be accessed ontablets, it is not necessary, and can be used on computer workstations,tablet workstations, or other connected devices. Users A-N 702 can doone or numerous tasks and earn the rewards for either and work for aslong or as little as they want. No physical money need be transactedacross the content management platform 202. Value can be exchangeddigitally, ensuring better security for the facility. Users A-N 702,e.g., inmates, can use the money/value/credits earned on education,entertainment, communication, commissary, or future goods or services inpost-incarceration environment. Users A-N 702 can use themoney/value/credits earned on the tablet or at the inmate managementsystem. Work can be accomplished with or without a keyboard. Work can besourced from the third party platform 704 contracts can be sourceddirectly, or a combination thereof. The work can be accomplished in adedicated work window or embedded in a video game or entertainmentcontent to assist the use in a correctional setting, e.g., gamified. Forexample, if the task were to categorize an image into one of fourcontent categories, a game can be created to have the user A-N 702 firea paintball at the category meant to be hit, with feedback on the user'sreaction time and accuracy.

The work platform can include a single sign-on and be tied to the loginof the content management platform 202. The types of work or tasks thatcan be accomplished in this setting include but are not limited to: leadvetting/scrubbing; user interface or user experience testing for newapplications or websites; sentiment analysis categorizing online writtenor visual content into a particular sentiment (e.g., for a brand to knowif Tweets about it are positive or negative); surveys from advertisers,non-profits, academics, etc.; performance marketing (activities fromadvertisers); coding; content moderation; data scrubbing; trainingmachine learning algorithms by providing human input; online contentgeneration; digital transcription services (for audio or video);participation in research studies; translations; focus groups for onlinecontent; and others.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example dock 900 for providing accessto technical functionality in a correctional or other controlledsetting. For purposes of explanation the correctional setting is used.The dock 900 includes a surface cover 901 creating friction to reducesliding. Bolts, screws, or other fasteners 902 connect the dock 900,e.g., a mini desk, to vertical surface. Wired interface 903, e.g., a USBhub, mini USB, micro USB, or USB enabled accessories 904 like anexternal QWERTY keyboard, medical devices, cameras, a pointing device,etc. USB, mini USB or other electronic hub 905 allows for more than oneaccessory to be connected. Wire 906 connects the accessory to a wiredinterface.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example dock 900. In oneexample, an enclosure 1000 of the dock 900 includes a metal bar 1007that limits full hinge 1008 rotation. The hinge 1008 allows a mini deskor dock surface to open and close. Locking mechanism 1009 closes andsecures mini desk or dock 900 when closed. Computing device 1010communicate short range through Bluetooth, Near Field Communication(NFC) or other connectivity protocols.

FIG. 11 is a top view of another example dock 900. When the user bringsthe computing device to within area 1111 the dock 900 grants thecomputing device 1112 to operate with determined functionality. Thecomputing device 1112 communicates with the dock 900 via short rangethrough Bluetooth, Near Field Communication or other connectivityprotocols. Additionally or alternatively, the computing device 1112 mayhardwired to the dock 900.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the dock 900 can act as a shelfing apparatusfor a tablet or other computing device 1112, including one or more of(1) a high-friction angled ledge, which the tablet leans on and does notslide down, (2) a clasping mechanism that secures the tablet in place,or (3) a lip that the tablet can rest on to lean against the verticalsurface of the dock 900. The dock 900 can include a kiosk. A micro-USBwired keyboard that can connect to the tablet. Piping can securelycontain the micro-USB wire that runs from the keyboard to the tablet.Screws and fasteners 902 to secure the vertical surface of the kioskinto a variety of surfaces, including concrete, brick, etc. Othercomponents can include a wall-mounted bracket, a rail, notched rail,angled arm to adjust the height of the keyboard and tablet clip-inlocation for users of different heights and users in different bodypositions (sitting, standing, leaning) and user heights, a mouse,trackpad, or other pointer device, separate higher-resolution videocamera, a wireless keyboard, external medical diagnostic hardware (bloodpressure, heart rate, etc.), the addition of more components, includingmultiple hardware electronic interfaces (e.g., mouse, external videocamera, etc.), a microprocessor or microcontroller that controls theinterface between the tablet and the multiple external devices connectedto it.

The tablet or other computing device 1112 recognizes, based on softwareand settings and software or settings of the computing device 1112 it isconnected to the dock 900, and the operating system of the tablet orother computing device 1112 enables access to device features e.g.,video, camera, keyboard and determined programs only when the computingdevice 1112 is within a determined vicinity of the dock 900. The dock900 can be designed for use in correctional institutions to providelocation-based activation of determined features of the computing device1112 while allowing other functionality to not be so limited.

The dock 900 limits the use of certain device functionality of thecomputing device 900 to a specified physical location. The dock 900can 1) securely limit the range and use of device cameras, networkconnections, and other device features to designated areas within acorrectional institution, 2) expand the functionality and use of thetablet by creating a desktop environment with keyboard, stand and otheruniversal serial bus (USB), Bluetooth, Near Field Communication or otherconnectivity protocols, 3) provide a low impact, powerless, useragnostic, low cost way to enable digital work, educational activities,health & wellness needs, family engagement, and other inmate activitiesusing technology in a comfortable, more private, individualized manner,and/or 4) provide an environment where the activities of users can belimited and monitored.

In one example, the electronic device 1112 is a touchscreen tablet andthe dock 900 is a desk. In other examples the electronic device 1112 isa handheld device, phone, or limited capacity keyboard device e.g., anotebook. In other examples, the dock 900 may include a nook, shelf,counter, sill, kiosk, booth, or cubical. In one example, mini desks canmount to nearly any correctional institution wall and allow for a tabletcomputing device to rest flat or angled on its surface. The surface 901cover can limit movement.

Tablets and the dock 900 as a mini desk offer a low-cost solutionbecause the mini desk is powered by the tablet that uses the mobilebattery to power the dock and peripherals. A mini desk can include oneor both of the following: 1) a built in connection to a wired interface,e.g., a USB hub, mini USB, micro USB, or USB enabled accessories like anexternal QWERTY keyboard, medical devices, cameras, a pointing device,etc., 2) a wireless device allowing short range (e.g., five feet orless, ten feet or less, forty feet or less) communication with acomputing device through Bluetooth, Near Field Communication or otherconnectivity protocols. In one example, the dock 900 requires no power(see FIG. 9), as all accessories are powered solely by a compatibleelectronic device connected to the dock. Some docks 900 include a singleUSB port (see FIG. 10) while others include a hub that allows for morethan one accessory to be connected to the computing device (FIG. 9).

Once a computing device 1112 is connected to the dock 900 via propercabling (USB, mini USB, or other), or within the requisite range of thedock 900 (e.g., the computing device 1112 being in close enoughproximity to digitally discover the dock 900 through proper signaling(Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, 802.11p, etc.), the computing device 1112securely recognizes the device as in a designated location, and thecomputing device 1112 unlocks certain built-in features, that areotherwise disabled, e.g., through the use of mobile device management(MDM) software. Features may include, but are not limited to, camerafeatures and functionality or augmented learning and entertainmentpackages. With these features activated, the users can use the dock 900for secure activities, e.g., video conferencing, vocational training,online education, distributed labor (modular digital work tasksaccomplished by a pool of workers), and telemedicine. The dock 900provides, e.g., for security reasons, an environment where suchactivities be accomplished in certain, e.g., monitored, areas of thecorrectional institution.

When a designated computing device 1112 is separated from the dock's 900designated cabling or moves beyond the requisite signal range of thedock 900, the computing device 1112, through MDM software, can againdisable the undesirable features like the camera while leaving intactthe remaining feature set. The dock 900 may not require power orEthernet connectivity. Wireless capabilities of the computing device1112 and its individualized power source that powers accessory devicescan power and connect with the docks 900.

The lives of inmates in correctional facilities can require specialmeasures to create structure and ensure the security of the facility andsafety of corrections personnel and the inmate population. At the sametime, correctional facilities have an interest in, or may be required bylaw or regulation, to provide educational, interactive, entertainment,and other functions. A controlled media environment is thus provided bythe dock 900 in correctional facilities. For example, for securitypurposes, videoconferencing/camera access is only allowed in approvedareas of correction facilities. In the past, this has not neededenforcement because wall mounted kiosks or separate offices were howvideo visitation, telemedicine, video arraignment, and other likeactivities were accomplished. With the rapidly increasing interest inand deployment of handheld electronic devices in correctionalinstitutions, there may be a desire to use the full functionality of thedevice. Additionally, videoconferencing in correctional institutions isexpensive in part because of the cost of installation of equipment,hardwiring a power cable, and the expense of the hardware. This is dueto the need for expensive and time-consuming cross-wiring of power toeach kiosk. Still, the mobility of a handheld device exposes the jail togreater risk and liability as cameras and video conferencing are nolonger tethered to designated kiosk and office areas, but instead can beanywhere wireless reaches. By securely disabling undesirable featureswhen the user is outside designated locations, while allowing featuresin desired locations, the dock 900 provides a way for the tablet deviceto functionally operate safely in all areas of a correctionalinstitution.

The systems and methods described above may be implemented in manydifferent ways in many different combinations of hardware, software,firmware, or any combination thereof. In one example, the systems andmethods can be implemented with a processor and a memory, where thememory stores instructions, which when executed by the processor, causesthe processor to perform the systems and methods. The processor may meanany type of circuit such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, oranother processor. The processor may also be implemented with discretelogic or components, or a combination of other types of analog ordigital circuitry, combined on a single integrated circuit ordistributed among multiple integrated circuits. All or part of the logicdescribed above may be implemented as instructions for execution by theprocessor, controller, or other processing device and may be stored in atangible or non-transitory machine-readable or computer-readable mediumsuch as flash memory, random access memory (RAM) or read only memory(ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) or othermachine-readable medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CDROM),or magnetic or optical disk. A product, such as a computer programproduct, may include a storage medium and computer readable instructionsstored on the medium, which when executed in an endpoint, computersystem, or other device, cause the device to perform operationsaccording to any of the description above. The memory can be implementedwith one or more hard drives, and/or one or more drives that handleremovable media, such as diskettes, compact disks (CDs), digital videodisks (DVDs), flash memory keys, and other removable media.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure.Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein.It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be ableto devise numerous systems, arrangements and methods which, although notexplicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of thedisclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. From the above description and drawings, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the particularembodiments shown and described are for purposes of illustrations onlyand are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.References to details of particular embodiments are not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a content managementplatform having a processor; a database operatively coupled to thecontent management platform and accessible by the processor; a pluralityof client computing devices located in a correctional facility andoperative to physically connect to and disconnect from correspondingdocking stations located in the correctional facility, the clientcomputing devices and corresponding docking stations remotely locatedfrom the content management platform; wherein when each of the clientcomputing devices physically connects to a corresponding dockingstation, the content management platform securely recognizes thephysically connected client computing device and unlocks selectedbuilt-in functions of the physically connected client computing device,and displays at least one graphical user interface on a display of theclient computing device; wherein when a physically connected clientcomputer device is separated from the corresponding docking station bygreater than a predetermined distance, the content management platformdisables at least one of the enabled selected built-in functions;wherein the graphical user interface allows a user to participate in atleast one activity corresponding to the facility, wherein the at leastone activity is based in part on credentials of the user and one or moretasks available at the facility, and wherein the one or more tasks areverified for the user; the client computing device configured togenerate one or more points in real-time or near real-time for the user,during execution of the at least one activity at the client computingdevice, wherein the at least one or more points are based on at leastone achievement corresponding to the activity; and wherein an indicationof the achievement of the corresponding client computing device isstored in the database.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the clientcomputing device rewards on a daily basis before an end of a lesson orcourse of study.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the client computingdevice measures an effort and an achievement of the user.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the client computing device rewards in a facilityanalog environment for points earned in a separate learning environment.5. The system of claim 4, wherein the client computing device rewards inthe separate learning environment for behavior in the facility analogenvironment.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the built-in functions ofthe client computing device are activated only when the client computingdevice is physically connected with the corresponding docking station.7. The system of claim 1, where the built-in functions include at leastone of a video, a camera, a keyboard and a determined program.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the client computing device processes atleast one task of a digital work received from an external source. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the client computing device reportscompletion of the task to a facility inmate management system.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the client computing device generates amonetary reward from the tasks that can be used for both digital andanalog rewards.
 11. A method, comprising: operatively coupling a contentmanagement platform with a database and providing access between thecontent management platform and the database; physically connecting aclient computer device to an associated docking station; serving to auser, a login menu that is executed on a client computing device onlywhen the client computing device is physically connected to theassociated docking station, wherein the content management platformsecurely recognizes the connected client computing device and unlocksselected built-in functions of the physically connected client computingdevice; disabling, by the content management platform, at least one ofthe selected enabled built-in functions when a physically connectedclient computer device is separated from the corresponding dockingstation by more than a predetermined distance; wherein the login menu isprogrammed to acquire from a user a set of parameters for access to afacility computing environment; in response to receiving credentialscorresponding to the user, displaying, using the computing device, atleast one graphical user interface that allows the user to participatein at least one activity corresponding to the facility, wherein the atleast one activity is based in part on the credentials and one or moretasks available at the facility, and wherein the one or more tasks areverified for the user; generating, using the computing device, one ormore points in real-time or near real-time for the user, duringexecution of the at least one activity at the computing device, whereinthe at least one point is based on at least one achievementcorresponding to the activity; generating, using the computing device,at least one reward based on the one or more points; and storing anindication of the achievement in a database communicatively connected tothe at least one computing device.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising rewarding, using the client computing device, on a dailybasis before an end of a lesson or course of study.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising measuring, using the client computingdevice, an effort and an achievement of the user.
 14. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising rewarding, using the client computingdevice, in a facility analog environment for points earned in a separatelearning environment.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprisingrewarding, using the client computing device, in the separate learningenvironment for behavior in the facility analog environment.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising activating selected built-infunctions of the client computing device only when the client computingdevice is located within a determined vicinity of a dock.
 17. The methodof claim 11, where the built-in functions include at least one of avideo, a camera, a keyboard and a determined program.
 18. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising processing, using the client computingdevice, at least one task of a digital work received from an externalsource.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising reportingcompletion of the task to a facility inmate management system.
 20. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the client computing device generates amonetary reward from the tasks that can be used for both digital andanalog rewards.